The ceremony of blessing animals celebrates Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron of all creation, who taught that living a life of peace includes living in harmony with all God's creatures, and especially giving thanks for our domestic pets.
Saint Francis' Day will be celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 4 p.m., at Saint Andrew's Church, Lambertville, with a special Evensong that will include a Blessing of Animals.
All are encouraged to bring their pets, either on leashes or in cages.
The ceremony of blessing animals celebrates Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron of all creation, who taught that living a life of peace includes living in harmony with all God's creatures, and especially giving thanks for our domestic pets.
The Saint Andrew's choir, under the direction of Michael T. Kevane, will sing "Not One Sparrow is Forgotten" by William Hawley, "Seigneur, Je Vous en Prie" by Francis Poulenc (from 4 motets on texts by Saint. Francis), "Preces and Responses" by Bernard Rose, "Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in C Major" (from Op. 115) by Charles Villiers Stanford, and "For the Beauty of the Earth" by Philip Stopford.
Evensong is Evening Prayer, from the Book of Common Prayer, set to music. Psalms, Canticles (liturgical songs taken from the Bible), the reading of scripture, and prayers make up the service.
The Rev. Richard W. Townley, rector of Saint Andrew's Church, will preside.
Next month's Evensong will commemorate All Saints and All Souls Sunday on Nov. 1, at 4 p.m., with an offering of Gabriel Faure's Requiem by the Saint Andrew's Parish Choir.
Saint Andrew's Church is located at the corner of York and Main Streets in Lambertville. For more information, call 609-397-2425 or standrewslambertville.org.